FYI:
"FIRST Robots at the Hall of Science-
Robotics season is on at the Hall of Science! Now and through August 31st you can explore robots and robotics through great exhibits, hands on building, story telling, and in-depth conferences and discussions. You will have a chance to give a close look to the IBOT, the Segway Human Transporter, and
enjoy FIRST Robotics Exhibit at the Rotunda above the main entry hall, where you might find a picture of ... YOURSELF!!! Featured at the FIRST exhibit are also "Wilma," McKee high school's now legendary robot, Staten Island Technical Robotic Plague's 2002 creation, with its "baby bot," a real hit at FIRST 2002, and Brooklyn Tech Knights powerful 2002 bot.

The season opened May 8th, with a FIRST Robotics scrimmage at the Great Hall, and a FIRST Robotics and FIRST LEGO League demonstration on June 9th. MANY THANKS to all FIRST team students and teachers participating in these
"demos," including Evander Childs, William Taft, Stuyvesant, Samuel Gompers, Science Skills Center, George Westinghouse, Saunders and Washington Irving.
Five NYC middle school teams demonstrated their solutions to the FIRST Artic Impact junior challenge of 2001.

Below is a list of Hall of Science robotics activities for the weeks to come, including an interactive display and discussion by Research Director Dr. Polly Pook, and her colleagues from iRobot (MIT) on Saturday, June 22 & Sunday, June 23, 1 - 4 pm- A limited number of free invites for FIRST team
members are available. Please call Ana Martinez at Polytechic University 718-260-3383 for further information if you wish to attend any of these events.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
State-of-the Art Robots
Saturday, June 29 & Sunday, June 30, 2 - 5 pm

Modular Reconfigurable Robots Dr. Mark Yim, Xerox Palo Alto Research Center Live demonstrations of robots built from many copies of a few simple module types
(similar to Lego bricks, or cells in mammals).

Monday, July 1, 11 am - 2 pm, & Tuesday, July 2, 1 - 4 pm

Robots on the Move Dennis Hearn, a teacher at Parkville High School in Baltimore, Maryland, and prize-winning students Damien Bretall, Wesley Harris, Leo Malyutin, Nate Jester
and Mark Horodowicz provide an interactive robot display.

From a Robot's Eye
View robots from Center for Robot-Assisted Search and Rescue (CRASAR). Dr. Robin R. Murphy from CRASAR and her
students present innovative robots that were used at the World Trade Center, as well as prototypes of advanced robots.
at the New York Hall of Science

ROBOTICS???
June 8 - September 1, 2002
ROBOTICS??? explores the relationship between humans and machines. With over 20 different interactive components,
this exhibition presents a unique look at what robots are and how they are used in manufacturing, research and everyday
life. Through hands-on experiences, visitors are able to compare the ways in which humans and robots sense, think
and act. Don't miss this exciting exhibition, at the Hall until
September 1, 2002."

The New York Hall of Science was designed by Wallace K. Harrison for the 1964-65 New York World's Fair. As such, it's a pretty unique building, and it's not too difficult to find.

It's in Queens, though, not in Manhattan. It's on the former fairgrounds, which is now Flushing Meadow - Corona Park. It's near the Panorama of New York City, which is a consistently updated scale model of New York City's five boroughs. Neat stuff.

Anyway, coming from Connecticut and going straight to the Hall of Science, I think this is the best way to go. . . if there's someone reading from NYC, maybe they know better.

It's pretty easy - I'd just take the Whitestone Bridge to the Grand Central Parkway (East) . . . from there, there ought to be an exit that goes directly to that area, as it's also near Shea Stadium. I'm not sure of the number, but I know it's there

From their website, actually,

From Bronx/Westchester
Cross the Whitestone Bridge, bearing right at the end onto the Whitestone Expressway. Exit onto Grand Central Parkway eastbound. Take exit 10, bearing right to follow the Midtown Tunnel signage. Right on Corona Avenue. Right on 111th Street. Right at 49th Avenue into the New York Hall of Science entrance drive.

From Manhattan, it's the 7 train's 111th street stop. But, well, I guess my point is, it's not in Manhattan

__________________
--Madison--

...down at the Ozdust!

Like a grand and miraculous spaceship, our planet has sailed through the universe of time. And for a brief moment, we have been among its many passengers.

Originally posted by Elgin Clock I'm glad to see that the NYC Museum has followed the lead of the Boston Museum of science. Last year when I was on vacation I saw two FIRST robots in the Boston Museum!

That was my team and the Nu-trons, that were at the Boston Museum of Science

Re: Directions to NYC Hall of Science-
Mike from #810 gave pretty good directions for a Long Islander!
I couldn't have given better... but do note:

By car take any of the bridges into Queens, Triboro, Whitestone or T-Neck. The best approach is from the Grand Centeral Parkway South after LIE (Long Island Expressway) West/108th St Exit- sharp right off at exit or take T-neck bridge to LIE West and take 108 St. Exit- sharp right also.
Look for the Hall of Science signs. The entrance to the parking lot is 111th St. One day a week it is free admissiion after 3pm (I think).

If you are staying in the City #7 train to 111th St. or Shea Stadium stop will work.
or visit:

I've lived on Staten Island all my life and have been to the Hall of Science once. It's pretty cool. and whats even cooler is that Legenday Robot "WILMA" is Team 522's Best. I should know since it's my team and she has yet to break on us. 2 years 0 - mechanical failures. "Dorothy" on the other hand. well lets not go there. She breaks other robots and at the same time breaks herself. A couple of robots from NYC Regionals know this.

Alt & Lead Team Queuer, Field Repair/Reset, Field Setup/Breakdown, Spare Parts Attendant, Field Power Controller/Score Keeper, Co-Emcee & Official Scorer, Control System Advisor, FIRST Tech Advisor Assistant & recently Practice Field Attendant.

yea, they could have invited more robots from
the local area. I spoke with the Director of NYC Regional and mention that a video of the competition from the 2001 & 2002 NYC Regional would have been exciting for the viewers. But the Hall of Science could not come up with the
resources (a TV/monitor and VCR).

Maybe next year it will be better and they will organize a Hall of Science mini-FIRST competition.